The Panther

I had a dream, woke up shakingThe moon breaking through the tressAnd in the stillness of the eveningI heard a rustling in the leavesAnd I saw a panther in the yardMoving slow across the ledgeWith silver eyes and a cool regardAnd hunger with a cutting edge

Open the door, let it inThis mystery you foundIt's all yours nowCome lay the panther down

So I called the eagle and the raven saidMy prayer to the sky with the moon as my witnessI looked the panther in the eye and beheldHis violent beautyThat cut so deep and hardThrough my civilized indifferenceAnd reckless disregard

So I open the door and let it inThis mystery I found is all mine nowTime to lay the panther down